Undergraduate Admission

Office of Admission

The Office of Admission strives each year to enroll a diverse undergraduate class of freshman and transfer students from the state of Rhode Island, as well as from other states and countries. We seek to enroll students who are prepared to be successful at the University, who possess a variety of talents and strengths, who are committed to becoming contributing members of the community, and who will be stimulated and challenged by doing undergraduate work in an environment that includes scholarly research and graduate study.

Students are selected for enrollment on the basis of a holistic review of all application materials; without discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The University has been authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant foreign students.

Prior to Admission

Information Sessions. The Admission staff offers information sessions and campus tours for prospective students and their families. Most of the academic colleges also offer information sessions. For details, check the website, uri.edu/admission/visit-us. Follow the instructions on how to view the tour and information session calendar, login, and register.

Campus Tours. Student tour guides conduct year-round walking tours of the campus for visitors Monday through Friday and most Saturdays. There is also a virtual tour on the website. Group tours for high schools and other organizations may also be arranged. For more information, refer to “Group Tours” or email grouptoursuri@gmail.com.

Tours of the Narragansett Bay Campus and the Graduate School of Oceanography may also be arranged. Call 401.874.6211 for details.

Freshman Admission Requirements

Admission to the University of Rhode Island is competitive. Each applicant is given individual consideration. In the evaluation process we consider the rigor of the high school curriculum, academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, employment, leadership, community service, and unique talents. The students offered admission for the fall of 2017 had an average GPA of 3.53/4.00, with an average SAT Math & Reading/Writing combined score of 1182/1600; and an average ACT composite score of 25.

A minimum of 18 Carnegie units of college preparatory classes in high school are required as follows: 4 in English; 3 in mathematics including Algebra I, Algebra 2, and geometry; 2 in a physical or natural science including at least one laboratory science; 2 in history or social science; 2 in the same foreign language; and 5 additional college preparatory units to total 18. All students are encouraged to select their additional units from areas including English, foreign languages, mathematics, social sciences, or laboratory sciences. The strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. See uri.edu/admission/admission-information for more specific information.

Certain programs at URI are highly selective due to limited enrollment capacity. The following are additional requirements related to specific colleges and majors:

• We recommend that applicants to Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Pharmacy complete 4 units of mathematics (including precalculus or trigonometry).
• Engineering applicants must complete 4 units of mathematics (including precalculus or calculus), 3 units of physical science classes with laboratories (including 1 unit of physics, 2 other physical sciences, and chemistry is recommended).
• Nursing, Pharmacy, and Engineering applicants who submit complete applications by the December 1 Early Action deadline will be given preference for admission.
• Applicants to all music programs must audition and should contact the Department of Music at 401.874.2431 for audition dates and requirements.

Applications are not reviewed until all required materials are received by the Office of Admission. These materials include:

• A completed Common Application
• Application fee of $65
• Official high school transcript (sent by the school)
• List of senior courses (admission is contingent upon successful completion of all senior course work and graduation from high school)
• Official SAT or ACT scores (MUST be sent electronically by the testing services: the URI ID code is 3919 for SAT and 3818 for ACT)
• Essay (pharmacy applicants must include an additional statement explaining their choice of major)
• At least one letter of recommendation (please limit to two); pharmacy applicants are required to provide two letters of recommendation

The Common Application sends an email confirming that a student’s application has been submitted to the University of Rhode Island. URI then sends a letter acknowledging receipt of the application with instructions on how applicants must check the status of their application online (e-Campus). It is recommended that applicants check their status regularly to see whether any additional materials are requested, such as mid-year grades.

Standardized Tests. All domestic candidates for freshman admission must take the SAT or ACT. Applicants who have been away from formal studies for three or more years should contact the Admission Office about entrance requirements or refer to “Feinstein Providence Campus” in the “Undergraduate Admission” section of this catalog.

Applicants are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT as early as possible in their senior year; taking the test after January reduces the likelihood of a timely decision. Students are required to have their test scores submitted electronically to the University by the testing services. Full information concerning these tests may be obtained from local high schools and is available online at collegeboard.org or act.org.

Application Procedures. Students should discuss their plans for study at the University with their school counselors as early as possible to establish realistic goals and program selections. The University is a member of the Common Application group. URI admission counselors will be glad to answer applicants’ questions. Requests for information should be sent to admission@uri.edu. Applicants may also call 401.874.7100, or visit the Admission website at uri.edu/admission.

Students may enroll at the beginning of the fall semester in September and at the beginning of the spring semester in January. Not all programs enroll new students in January. High school seniors are urged to submit applications, including first quarter grades (when they become available), early in the academic year. Early Action applicants will receive a decision by the end of January. All other applicants will hear by March 31. The deadline for submitting fall term freshman applications is February 1. The deadline for spring January term applications is November 1. Enrollment and housing deposits are due by May 1.

Early Action and Merit Scholarships. All applicants are considered for these scholarships by submitting a complete application for admission. There is no separate scholarship application. To be considered for the full range of scholarships, we recommend that you apply by the December 1 Early Action deadline. These scholarships are awarded to U.S. residents and international students. Minimum requirements for scholarship consideration are:

• A challenging curriculum
• GPA of 3.20/4.00
• Combined SAT score (reading/writing and math) of 1130 or ACT of 23
• Involvement in school and/or community

Satisfaction of the minimum criteria listed here does not guarantee a scholarship; the overall applicant pool determines the degree of competition for these awards.

Most Early Action applicants receive their admission decision by the end of January. Early Action is non-binding. Merit scholarships are four-year awards (they are six-year awards for those in the Pharm.D. program), renewable each semester as long as students maintain continuous full-time enrollment (12 credits per semester) and a minimum GPA of 2.80. If a scholarship recipient’s tuition classification (in-state/out-of-state/regional) changes, the award amount will also change to reflect the amount for the new tuition category.

The latest date that applicants can take the SAT and meet the December 1 Early Action deadline is the November test date, and the October test is the latest date for the ACT. URI will always consider the applicant’s highest score on each section of the SAT (to give the student the highest combined total). Scores from later test dates will not be considered for scholarship purposes.

Early Enrollment/Early Admission. Students who have completed their junior year of high school with superior records may be eligible for early admission.

Early admission students must have completed (by the end of the junior year) three years of English, three of mathematics (Algebra 1 and 2 and geometry), two of the same foreign language, two to three of social studies or history, and two of natural or physical science with at least one laboratory science. Students must have the endorsement of their high school counselor or principal. High school administrators must be willing to accept credits earned during the first year at URI toward remaining high school graduation requirements. Those interested should plan with their high school counselor early in their junior year, and direct further inquiries to the Office of Admission. An interview may be required. Please note: Early admission is not a dual enrollment program; these students are no longer enrolled at their high school and are fully matriculated at the University.

Early admission candidates should apply by the December 1 Early Action Deadline. These applicants may be considered for merit scholarships. Because early admission candidates have not yet graduated from high school, they are not eligible for need-based aid. After receiving their high school diploma, they may apply for financial aid.

A part-time study program (dual enrollment) may be arranged for students wishing to begin college study in their senior year while continuing their high school work. Students may register for appropriate classes through the Office of Enrollment Services.

Advanced Placement. Advanced standing for freshmen is granted to students who have completed college-level courses in a high school participating in the Advanced Placement Program and who have passed (with a score of 3 or better on most examinations) the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination. For more information about Advanced Placement credit, please refer to URI’s website at uri.edu/admission/advanced-placement.

International Baccalaureate Degree Program. URI awards credit for most higher level examinations taken in high school and passed with a score of 5, 6, or 7. Course credit is awarded at the discretion of individual departments. No credit is awarded for standard level examinations. Refer to URI’s website at uri.edu/admission/advanced-placement.

GCE, Advanced Levels (A-levels). URI awards credit to enrolled students who have obtained a grade of A, B, or C on specified A-level exams. Students who have taken A-level exams in unspecified subject areas may submit their transcripts to the Transfer Resource Center for determination of specific transfer credit.

Advanced Standing

In addition, students can take proficiency examinations administered by University departments to be granted advanced standing. Entrance with advanced standing can accelerate the completion of degree requirements or enrich the undergraduate program by allowing for additional elective or advanced courses.

Proficiency Examinations. Students showing evidence of advanced knowledge or who have taken “enriched” programs in high school may be exempt from certain courses and requirements if they take departmental proficiency exams. A student who successfully passes such an exam earns credits as well as exemption from the course. Students interested in taking these exams should contact their academic advisor or dean during their first semester at URI. New students may obtain further information during orientation from their advisor in the University College for Academic Success. Proficiency exams must be completed by the beginning of the second semester of full-time registration.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who have been away from formal studies for three or more years may take CLEP General Examinations to demonstrate academically measurable learning acquired in nontraditional ways. URI students must secure prior approval from their academic dean to take the exams for credit. Transfer students may receive credit for CLEP General Examinations taken prior to enrollment at URI, provided that their scores meet URI standards and their academic dean judges that the CLEP credit does not duplicate other transfer credit.

Academic departments may use CLEP Subject Examinations as proficiency exams to test the student’s mastery of the subjects taught by the department. A department that judges a CLEP Subject Examination to be a satisfactory proficiency exam decides what credit should be awarded within the department to students passing the exam, establishes the minimum score for credit, decides whether students must answer the optional essay questions supplied by CLEP, and decides whether students must pass a supplementary department test, such as a lab exam.

Home-Schooled Applicants

For those students who have been home-schooled, the requirements are the same as for students who have a traditional schooling profile. Those students who have had an established working relationship with a home-schooling agency that supplies curriculum outlines, and reviews and grades work completed, can submit a transcript from that agency for review. We consider the following information when making an admission decision for a home-schooled applicant:

• Comparative competencies of content through the completion of 18 prescribed college preparatory units of work displayed on an official transcript (see Freshman Admission Requirements)• Earned Grade Point Average
• Standardized testing results (SAT or ACT) that support the content competencies (URI will require SAT Subject exams if specific course content is unclear)

Students who have not worked with a home-schooling agency may be required to submit the results of SAT subject exams in the following subjects to demonstrate competencies:

• Writing
• American History or World History
• Math Level C
• Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (select 2)
• Any foreign language (two units in the same language)

Other options for demonstrating course competency include transcripts showing completion of college courses covering the subject areas previously listed, results of Advanced Placement exams in those same subjects, or CLEP exam results. Home-schooled applicants are required to complete the Home-School Supplement of the Common Application.

International Applicants

International applicants must meet all admission requirements previously listed, with the exception of the SAT or ACT, which is optional.

English Proficiency Requirements. All international applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. English language proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following:

University Pathway Program. URI is partnered with ONCAMPUS Rhode Island, part of the Cambridge Education Group. ONCAMPUS Rhode Island allows students with a TEOFL score of 60+ or IELTS of 5.5+ to pursue credit-bearing courses while also completing courses designed to improve English language skills. Additional information can be found at: oncampus.global/usa/oncampus-rhode-island.htm.

Applicants who have attended a secondary school or post-secondary school where the language of instruction is English may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency examination depending upon their English grades and their Reading/Writing SAT and/or ACT scores (if submitted).

Document Evaluation. International transfer applicants must have all post-secondary transcripts formally evaluated by a NACES certified credential evaluation agency. Please visit NACES.org for a list of approved credential evaluators. Evaluations must be based on original or attested copies of academic documents. Applicants should request a course-by-course evaluation and have an official report sent directly to URI. Also, please be aware that official course descriptions (in English) may be requested by the head of the student’s department before URI transfer credit is awarded.

I-20/Financial Documents. The Office of Admission generates the Form I-20 for all first-time admitted international freshman and transfer students. This form is used to schedule a visa interview at a United States Embassy/Consulate in a country outside of the United States. In order to issue the Form I-20, the following documents must be received by the Office of Admission:

1. Certificate of Financial Responsibility, legible PDF of a bank statement (valid within 30 days of issuance), or government issued financial guarantee. These documents must prove that the student possesses funds for the first year of study, and that the funds for subsequent years will be available.

2. Legible copy of the student’s passport biographical page.

3. Preferred mailing address.

4. Transfer-In Form. This is ONLY required of students who currently study in the U.S. on a student visa.

If government or reserve bank permission is required to transfer funds from the student’s country to the United States, a notarized copy of the permission is required. No need-based financial aid is available to international students, although all applicants are eligible for merit-based scholarship consideration. Inquiries from international students concerning non-immigrant visas, transfers, funding, etc., should be emailed to the Office of Admission at internationaladmission@uri.edu.

Talent Development

The Talent Development Program (TD) at URI serves RI high school graduates who come from underrepresented backgrounds. A majority of TD students are students of color. Students admitted to TD have taken the required core academic courses in high school. However, the average academic profile for students accepted to the TD program is not the average academic profile for students accepted through the regular admission process. The TD program includes an intensive summer experience prior to the start of the fall semester during which students take college courses and live on campus. Those who successfully complete the program continue with their enrollment at URI in the fall.

TD students receive academic and individual support from TD advisors and mentors, and most receive the Hardge-Forleo grant (based on demonstrated financial need); need is determined by the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Interested students must submit the application and ALL supporting material by December 15 of their senior year in high school. For more information, please visit uri.edu/admission/talent-development.

Transfer Admission Requirements

A transfer applicant is one who has attended another regionally accredited college or university in any capacity after graduating from high school, regardless of whether any credits have actually been earned. Admission preference is given to applicants who have completed college-level academic courses covering a range of subjects including mathematics, communications, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine and performing arts. Remedial/developmental courses and vocational courses (e.g. culinary, applied technical science) are not transferable.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required, but most successful applicants have much higher GPAs. Certain programs may require a higher GPA or specific prerequisite courses. Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts directly to URI from all colleges and universities, whether or not they expect or desire credit for such work. High school transcripts must also be submitted. Transfer candidates must be in good standing and eligible to return to the institutions they attended previously. Credit is not awarded for course work taken prior to admission to URI and disclosed after acceptance. Credit is given for courses in which the student earned a final grade of C or better. For information on deadlines and restricted programs, visit uri.edu/admission/transfer-admission-requirements.

Credit transferred from other schools is limited by the following restrictions: 1) no more than half of the credits URI requires for graduation can be transferred from two-year institutions; 2) students must earn at URI at least one-half of the credits required for a major, at least one-half of the credits required for a minor, and at least one-fourth of the credits required for graduation; 3) only grades earned for course work at URI are included in the calculation of a student’s grade point average. Additional requirements exist for numerous majors. Refer to the website at uri.edu/admission/transfer-admission-requirements.

Joint Admission. The Joint Admission Agreement (JAA) is available to Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) students who, prior to earning 30 credits, matriculate into one of the recognized JAA transition plans. Each transition plan specifies at least 32 credits that transfer to URI in fulfillment of general education requirements.

For first-time college students who intend to begin their college studies at CCRI and complete their bachelor’s degree at URI, the Joint Admission Agreement (JAA) may make the transition more efficient. Depending on their intended major, they may be guaranteed admission to URI by enrolling in the JAA, earning a 2.4 Grade Point Average (GPA), and completing courses listed in a JAA Transition Plan. A total of no fewer than 60 credits will be accepted at URI through the JAA Program.

To aid students and their advisors in making appropriate selections, JAA transition plans are available on the RI Transfers website (www.ritransfers.org) and in the Transfer Guide for Students available at the same site. Only programs specified in these publications and sites as JAA programs with transition plans are included in this agreement.

New England Regional Student Program

Through a cooperative plan sponsored by the New England Board of Higher Education, students from other New England states may enroll in a small number of selected programs at URI which are not offered in their own states. Certain programs at other New England state universities are open to Rhode Islanders on a reciprocal basis. Visit uri.edu/admission/regional-tuition-majors to see a list of URI regional majors by state. Students in approved regional programs will be charged tuition at a discounted rate. If at any time a student transfers out of the New England Regional Student Program, out-of-state tuition rates will apply.

Students who are applying for readmission through the Office of Enrollment Services must contact them to check on eligibility for Regional Tuition. They can be reached at 401.874.9500.

School of Professional and Continuing Studies at the URI Feinstein Providence Campus

The School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) is part of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS) and is located at the University’s Feinstein Providence campus. In Providence, students will discover several academic options:

• For the adult student, SPCS offers a number of undergraduate degree options at the Feinstein Providence Campus.

The Feinstein Providence campus is a good choice for adult learners who want a high quality URI education, but prefer a nonresidential campus in the state’s urban center. Because it is smaller and nonresidential, the Feinstein Providence campus has a reduced fee structure that gives commuter students a greater value for their tuition dollars.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree is available to adult learners who have been away from high school for three or more years. In addition, there are currently six majors for which students can complete their courses of study entirely in Providence: communication studies, English, film media, history, human development and family studies, and psychology.

Adult learners can be considered for admission under “performance-based admission” (PBA). PBA is available to applicants whose last formal, full-time educational experience occurred at least three years ago, and who have graduated from high school or earned a general equivalency diploma (GED). PBA is limited to students applying to SPCS for undergraduate degree programs. For more information, contact an academic advisor at the University’s Feinstein Providence campus, Room 245 at 401.277.5160. Visit uri.edu/ceps for more information about undergraduate offerings through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies which is part of the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS).

• For those interested in a fast track to a career in biotechnology, the Providence campus offers the Biotechnology Manufacturing Program.

OFFER YOUR FEEDBACK

• in a description of an undergraduate or graduate program of study, as it existed on July 1, 2017, contact the Dean’s Office for that program (College or Graduate School).

• in a course description, as it existed on July 1, 2017, email the discrepancy along with a copy of or a link to the approved legislation proving the error to facsen@etal.uri.edu. Approved bills can be found on the Faculty Senate site.

WANT A PRINTED CATALOG?

You can print individual sections of this Catalog from your computer. A complete printout of the 2017-2018 URI Catalog is available from URI Printing Services. Place your order directly with them for bound copies of the catalog.

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Rules, regulations, dates, tuition, fees, personnel including faculty, the availability and titles of academic programs and areas of specialization, their administrative location, and courses set forth in this catalog are subject to change without notice. Where a change in program requirements is made while a student is enrolled, the student may elect to complete the program under the requirements in effect at the time of matriculation or to shift entirely to the new requirements, but may not choose parts of each set. As a result of the ongoing reviews of all programs, certain offerings and specializations may be deleted or restructured between editions of this catalog.

TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Please refer to the current online University of Rhode Island catalog at uri.edu/catalog for definitive curricular and course information. In case of discrepancies between the PDF version of the current catalog or departmental materials, the live version of the catalog found at uri.edu/catalog is considered the authoritative source.
Departmental websites and departmental curricular and course materials are maintained independently and do not necessarily reflect University-approved curricular and course information.